The Patriot Act goes topless

[Nevernose]

I just heard about this on my local news last night. "Operation G-Sting" is a "scandal" involving Las Vegas County commisioners who took money from a San Diego-based nudie bar owner in exchange for better zoning. One of the new topless joints in town cost a reputed 2o million to build, and as it was completed, Las Vegas county commisioners tried to both rezone it and ban lap dancing (as if banning lap dancing in Las Vegas stip clubs will return some of this city's "moral integrity").

At any rate, the FBI got in on the corruption investigation, and illegally used the Patriot Act to look at some of the more nefarious criminals' bank books.

More great work from Attorney General Ashcroft:
(Oct. 31) -- Channel 8 Eyewitness News political analyst Jon Ralson learned two local politicians have been included on a list normally reserved for terrorists. The development probably isn't because of suspected terrorist activity. Instead, investigators may be taking advantage of the Patriot Act to strengthen their case in Operation G-Sting.

The Patriot Act was passed shortly after 9-11 to locate terrorists and prevent any future attacks. But Friday, some say the law was abused so that investigators in Operation G-Sting could have a stronger case.

snip

The two local politicians are on the list. The Patriot Act was passed 45 days after the 9-11 attacks. It gives law enforcement more power to tap phones and secretly search homes. The goal was to track down terrorists and keep another 9-11 from happening. It was not intended to be used in a case like Operation G-Sting. But that appears to be what has happened.

snip

This development will have many opponents of the Patriot Act using it as the perfect example of why the law must be modified or repealed. Now, even some law enforcement officials Eyewitness News spoke to who support the act, say this time it was abused.

http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1506851&nav=168XIrLW

(this story is a few days old, so if it's a dupe, I apologize)

[John_H]

1. kick--first example of using patriot act against political oponents.

Don't discount this because it has to do with titty bars--this is huge.

On Edit: Why does Ashcroft hate boobs so much?

[Kolesar]

2. I am sure they are using it to spy on and blackmail Democrats

They could secretly check phone records and bank accounts to figure our who is associating with whom.

[John_H]

3. It's worse than that

They could get the election strategy for a whole state just by tapping the phone and emails of, say, a senator or governor who is active in her state's coordinated campaign!

[truthspeaker]

4. well if they're going to use the Patriot act...

If they're going to use the Patriot act to investigate instances of business getting favors from government in exchange for campaign contributions, I look forward to a vigorous investigation of Halliburton and Bechtel.

Yeah, right.